Seat for One at the Bar, Please!

It’s a Thursday night and I have a hankering for a cocktail and chef Scott Crawford’s apple-parsnip soup and warm malted wheat rolls. I’m single and my friends are busy. After all, the craving hit last minute, and I plan to walk in and sit at the bar. I throw on jeans and a sweater, slide my feet into the first pair of flats I see in my closet, and make my way to Crawford & Son.

Opening the heavy wooden doors, I am instantly greeted with warmth. Because I decided I needed soup and bread at 4:45 p.m. and Crawford & Son opens at 5:00 p.m., I am able to grab a seat for one at the bar. I chat with John May, who now serves as the general manager, for a few minutes before placing my order. The bartenders know me by name because I always sit at the bar whether I’m flying solo or introducing a friend to one of my favorite restaurants in Raleigh.

Once my order is in, chef comes out to say hello. I have zero regrets about sipping a cocktail and eating malted rolls alone because I’m able to learn more about the men and women who create community through food and beverage. It’s quite magical.

Why am I telling you this story? I recently found CurEater Angela Hansberger’s “Seat for one at the bar” CurEat list for restaurants and bars in Atlanta and thought about how much I enjoy solo dining experiences. I scoped out a few menus from the restaurants on her list and chose the items that I would order when I find myself sitting alone at a bar in Atlanta.

The cocktails and dishes I chose while laying on the couch at 8 p.m. are the first that caught my eye. I would most likely change the dish after tasting the cocktail. But then again, I could always order a pre-dinner cocktail and a cocktail that would pair better with my meal. Regardless, I look forward to asking for a seat for one at the bar the next time I find myself in Atlanta. And, I will use CurEater Angela Hansberger’s CurEat lists to guide me.